Ginger Pye facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ginger Pye

First edition
Author	Eleanor Estes
Illustrator	Louis Slobodkin
Cover artist	Arthur Howard
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre	Children's novel
Publisher	Harcourt Brace & World
Publication date	1951
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	180 pp
ISBN	0-590-45126-X
OCLC	28174884
Followed by	Pinky Pye

Ginger Pye is a popular children's book written by Eleanor Estes. It tells the exciting story of a smart dog named Ginger Pye. The book was first published in 1951. It quickly became famous and won the prestigious Newbery Medal in 1952. This award is given to the best American children's book of the year.

The Story of Ginger Pye

Getting a New Puppy

The story begins in Cranbury, Connecticut, in 1919. A boy named Jerry Pye really wanted a puppy. He worked hard to earn a dollar by dusting pews in a church. With his money, Jerry bought a puppy from Ms. Speedy. He was very happy with his new furry friend.

On the way home, Jerry and his sister Rachel felt like someone was following them. They looked back but saw no one. Jerry thought that if someone was indeed following them, they must be interested in his new puppy.

Naming Ginger Pye

A few days later, Jerry realized he hadn't given his puppy a name! He asked his mother for ideas. She suggested "Ginger" because the puppy was the color of ginger. He also had a lively, "gingery" personality. So, the puppy was named Ginger, or sometimes Ginger Pye.

Ginger was a very clever dog. He even learned how to find Jerry's school all by himself. Soon, almost everyone in their town knew and loved Ginger.

Ginger Goes Missing

On Thanksgiving Day, something terrible happened: Ginger Pye disappeared! Jerry and Rachel were very worried. They searched everywhere for their beloved dog. They looked all over Cranbury, but Ginger was nowhere to be found.

After a long search, they finally found Ginger. He was tied up in a shed! They also discovered who had taken him: a boy named Wally Bullwinkle. Luckily, Ginger was brought home safely. The Pye family was overjoyed to have their smart dog back.

More Adventures: The Sequel

If you enjoyed Ginger Pye, you might like its sequel, Pinky Pye. This book was also written by Eleanor Estes and came out in 1958. In Pinky Pye, the Pye family goes on summer vacation to Fire Island. While there, they adopt a new pet: a black kitten named Pinky.

Awards and Recognition

Ginger Pye is a very special book because it won the Newbery Medal in 1952. This award is one of the highest honors for children's literature in the United States. It means the book was recognized for its outstanding quality and contribution to children's books.